Journal Entry ~ 01/07/20
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:1-2
When we see the sin in other people, we are called to point out that sin with a spirit of gentleness. Think about the last time you called out your child or your husband when they offended you, or maybe it was a co-worker or the customer service rep who failed to remember the customer always comes first - were you gentle?
Gentleness is an inward calmness and a peace with God. We achieve gentleness when we completely surrender to God's will and His way in our lives. A true spirit of gentleness is simply not achievable without the grace of Holy Spirit washing over us.
I just love the moments when I feel this sense of gentleness in my soul....when I can see the storm raging, but I know with confidence that He is at work, and my heart is at peace. This is a attribute of the Holy Spirit for which I am particularly grateful because it has been tangible so many times in my life. It is that inexplicable calmness or peace when chaos rules around me, and the confidence that He is with me and He is sovereign over everything. In order to allow the Holy Spirit to fill our souls with gentleness, we not only need to stop fighting God's plan and submit our will to His, we need to confess our desire to take control. We need to humble ourselves, choosing not to be prideful or arrogant, or demanding in any way. When we have a gentle heart, we are obedient to what we are taught, regardless of who God chooses as our instructor or what God chooses to instruct.
Keeping all that in mind, when we approach someone else with a spirit of gentleness, we have fully surrendered our expectations and our need to control the behavior that offended us. When we have a spirit of gentleness, we are not approaching the person with any expectation of an apology or even acknowledgment for the wrong. We think of their feelings before our own and we try to imagine their situation or why they may be caught in a sin. We remember they are as blind to their sin as we are blind to ours, and we choose words that are kind and loving. We don’t act superior when we point out their transgression, but instead we are humble and low and meek.
If we cannot approach another person with this kind of gentle attitude, then we shouldn’t be addressing a sin issue with them. If we carry any resentment or bitterness against their sin in our hearts, if we carry any hurt or offense in our hearts, then we should not be approaching them. Our goal should never be to condemn the other person in their sin, but to restore their relationship with God. No one has ever grown closer to Christ at the end of a wagging finger.
God can bring us a spirit of gentleness when we have been hurt or offended. When we go to Him first, and seek His Spirit to fill us with His gentleness, He allows us to be used by Him to restore the person to right relationship.
Press on ~ you are loved 💗
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:1-2
When we see the sin in other people, we are called to point out that sin with a spirit of gentleness. Think about the last time you called out your child or your husband when they offended you, or maybe it was a co-worker or the customer service rep who failed to remember the customer always comes first - were you gentle?
Gentleness is an inward calmness and a peace with God. We achieve gentleness when we completely surrender to God's will and His way in our lives. A true spirit of gentleness is simply not achievable without the grace of Holy Spirit washing over us.
I just love the moments when I feel this sense of gentleness in my soul....when I can see the storm raging, but I know with confidence that He is at work, and my heart is at peace. This is a attribute of the Holy Spirit for which I am particularly grateful because it has been tangible so many times in my life. It is that inexplicable calmness or peace when chaos rules around me, and the confidence that He is with me and He is sovereign over everything. In order to allow the Holy Spirit to fill our souls with gentleness, we not only need to stop fighting God's plan and submit our will to His, we need to confess our desire to take control. We need to humble ourselves, choosing not to be prideful or arrogant, or demanding in any way. When we have a gentle heart, we are obedient to what we are taught, regardless of who God chooses as our instructor or what God chooses to instruct.
Keeping all that in mind, when we approach someone else with a spirit of gentleness, we have fully surrendered our expectations and our need to control the behavior that offended us. When we have a spirit of gentleness, we are not approaching the person with any expectation of an apology or even acknowledgment for the wrong. We think of their feelings before our own and we try to imagine their situation or why they may be caught in a sin. We remember they are as blind to their sin as we are blind to ours, and we choose words that are kind and loving. We don’t act superior when we point out their transgression, but instead we are humble and low and meek.
If we cannot approach another person with this kind of gentle attitude, then we shouldn’t be addressing a sin issue with them. If we carry any resentment or bitterness against their sin in our hearts, if we carry any hurt or offense in our hearts, then we should not be approaching them. Our goal should never be to condemn the other person in their sin, but to restore their relationship with God. No one has ever grown closer to Christ at the end of a wagging finger.
God can bring us a spirit of gentleness when we have been hurt or offended. When we go to Him first, and seek His Spirit to fill us with His gentleness, He allows us to be used by Him to restore the person to right relationship.
Press on ~ you are loved 💗
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